- Jan 29, 2014
- 765
- 488
- 136
I've had a build itch for quiet awhile. I've been wanting to get even more involved with BOINC and would like a rig that could run 24/7 (electrical costs offset by solar). I'd like to spend less than $500 but less than $400 is even better.
The key piece here is how cheap LGA1944 Opterons are on eBay. The combination of a $15 8M/16 integer core (however weak) and Chinese G34 board is too good for my compute loving self to pass up:
1) Does anyone have experience with Abu Dhabi Opterons?
2) My main concern is the Chinese 'Jingsha' G34 board. It would suck if this was all for naught when the board fries or doesn't work.
I could turn the rig into a FreeNAS/PFSense build (something I've wanted to anyway but am aware could be done with something much lower power) as well if it ends up being underwhelming for BOINC.
I would add a SATA III PCI-e card for the FreeNAS backup plan since the board only has native SATA II.
The build will be used for Universe@Home and Einstein@Home unless I can get a more powerful FP64 GPU (in which case I would add Milkyway@Home to the list).
Memory: Samsung - 16 GB (1 x 16 GB) Registered DDR3-1600 Memory ($37.40 @ Amazon)
Memory: Samsung - 16 GB (1 x 16 GB) Registered DDR3-1600 Memory ($37.40 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung - 860 Evo 250 GB mSATA Solid State Drive ($35.00 @ eBay)
Video Card: AMD - FirePro W4100 2 GB Video Card ($30.00 @ eBay)
Case: Fractal Design - Core 1000 USB 3.0 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($53.78 @ Newegg w/o free shipping)
Power Supply: Silverstone - 450 W 80+ Bronze Certified SFX Power Supply ($44.00 @ eBay)
Other: Jinghua X89 G34 Motherboard ($83.59 @ eBay)
Other: AMD Opteron 6376 [ ($15.00 @ eBay )
Total: $366.17
I have this persistent feeling that using such an old, slow, and power hungry chip is a terrible idea. But.... $15! Talk me out of it? Or don't. Thanks for your time.
The key piece here is how cheap LGA1944 Opterons are on eBay. The combination of a $15 8M/16 integer core (however weak) and Chinese G34 board is too good for my compute loving self to pass up:
1) Does anyone have experience with Abu Dhabi Opterons?
2) My main concern is the Chinese 'Jingsha' G34 board. It would suck if this was all for naught when the board fries or doesn't work.
I could turn the rig into a FreeNAS/PFSense build (something I've wanted to anyway but am aware could be done with something much lower power) as well if it ends up being underwhelming for BOINC.
I would add a SATA III PCI-e card for the FreeNAS backup plan since the board only has native SATA II.
The build will be used for Universe@Home and Einstein@Home unless I can get a more powerful FP64 GPU (in which case I would add Milkyway@Home to the list).
Memory: Samsung - 16 GB (1 x 16 GB) Registered DDR3-1600 Memory ($37.40 @ Amazon)
Memory: Samsung - 16 GB (1 x 16 GB) Registered DDR3-1600 Memory ($37.40 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung - 860 Evo 250 GB mSATA Solid State Drive ($35.00 @ eBay)
Video Card: AMD - FirePro W4100 2 GB Video Card ($30.00 @ eBay)
Case: Fractal Design - Core 1000 USB 3.0 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($53.78 @ Newegg w/o free shipping)
Power Supply: Silverstone - 450 W 80+ Bronze Certified SFX Power Supply ($44.00 @ eBay)
Other: Jinghua X89 G34 Motherboard ($83.59 @ eBay)
Other: AMD Opteron 6376 [ ($15.00 @ eBay )
Total: $366.17
I have this persistent feeling that using such an old, slow, and power hungry chip is a terrible idea. But.... $15! Talk me out of it? Or don't. Thanks for your time.
Last edited:
Facebook
Twitter